Tigers too tough for Boyd to tame

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Clint Patterson puts up a shot while Boyd teammate Dustin Curtis boxes out in this photo from earlier this season. Patterson scored 14 points, while Curtis had 13 in the Broncos’ season-ending loss to Gordonsville Tuesday night. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

The Boyd Broncos had three players score in double digits Tuesday night in their opening round of the District 8-A Tournament against the No. 2 seeded Tigers of Gordonsville (26-1).

That was the good news.

The bad news, however, was that Boyd ran into a team with 14 players hitting the scorebook — combining for 87 points to the Broncos’ 51 — as Boyd fell in the first round.

Gordonsville’s Jon Austin scored all of his game-high 20 points in the first period, including two 3’s, as the Tigers scored 37 points. The Broncos were helpless in the opening period as the Tigers ran the fast-break to perfection. Boyd couldn’t get any offense going and as a result had only four points in the period as the Tigers held a 37-4 lead.

In the second period Boyd settled down and got their offensive rhythm going. Clint Patterson, Casey Hertwig and Dustin Curtis worked hard in the paint and out-scored the Tigers 14-13 in the period. But the Broncos still trailed at the half 50-18.

The second half was a much more even ball game. Boyd took charge in the opening minutes of the third period with Curtis and Patterson working the boards. Solid defense by the Broncos held the Tigers in check during the first three minutes. But Gordonsville made a late charge to out-score Boyd 16-14 in the period to take a 66-32 lead into the final period.

The Tigers continued to stay aggressive on defense in the fourth quarter. But Boyd moved the ball well on offense and the result was baskets by Dillion Childers, Hertwig and Patterson as the Broncos posted 19 points in the period. The Tigers used their bench in the final period as the reserves posted 21 points to secure the victory.

Leading the Broncos in scoring was Patterson with 14 points, including two 3-pointers. Hertwig had 12 points and a pair of 3’s, and Curtis hit for 13 points with one trey. Childers added six points, Matthew Hancock had four and Russell Hitchcock added two points. Boyd ended the season with a 1-23 record.

The Tigers were led in scoring by Austin with 20 points and Dusty Ray with 10 points.